Jaguares too strong for willing Cheetahs
The Round Four Super Rugby encounter in Buenos Aires saw the home team outscore the visitors by five tries to two, although the Cheetahs may feel aggrieved that they did not receive more reward for a very impressive second half display.
Ramiro Moyano and Juan Martin Hernández inflicted most of the damage for the Jaguares.
Wing Moyano scored three tries to contribute 15 points and Argentine icon Hernández kicked 14 points through four conversions and two penalties.
Lock Matias Alemanno also scored a try and the home team were awarded a penalty try in the final minute.
Previously worth five points, the value of the penalty try in Super Rugby has been increased to seven points this season with the conversion abolished.
The convincing home victory lifted the Buenos Aires outfit to the top of the Africa Two table, ahead of 2016 runners-up Lions of South Africa on points difference.
Both teams have 14 points after four rounds with the Sharks one point behind and another South African side, Southern Kings, last on five points.
Jaguares have won three of four matches against South African opponents this season – a major improvement on last year when they struggled as debutants.
The Cheetahs flew to South America having won two of three matches at home, but never looked like adding to their nine-point total that has them lying second in the Africa One standings.
They fell behind to a Moyano try in the corner after seven minutes and trailed by 17 points before centre Michael van der Spuy scored a try.
Behind 24-7 by half-time, the Bloemfontein-based team scored their second try through replacement hooker Joseph Dweba on 73 minutes.
Flyhalf Niel Marais converted both tries and his second successful shot at goal reduced the deficit to 27-14 at the sun-drenched Estadio Jose Amalfitani.
But the South Africans failed to take advantage of Jaguares replacement back Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias being sin-binned and conceded two further tries.
The Jaguares enjoy home advantage again next weekend when the struggling Reds of Australia come to Buenos Aires. Cheetahs host the Sharks.
Man of the match: Clayton Blommetjies tried hard, without much reward, Niel Marais had his moments, Teboho Mohoje and Paul Schoeman also worked hard. Joaquin Tuculet and Ramiro Moyano enjoyed the passive defensive structures of the Cheetahs, Juan Hernández showed his experience and Pablo Matera was as physical as any forwards, with a high workrate. Our award goes to Jaguares No.8 Leonardo Senatore, for being the most energetic and effective of all the home team players.
The scorers:
For the Jaguares:
Tries: Moyano 3, Alemanno, Penalty try
Cons: Hernández 4, Penalty try does not require a conversion to be taken
Pens: Hernández 2
For the Cheetahs:
Tries: Van der Spuy, Dweba
Cons: Marais 2
Yellow card: Santiago Iglesias (Jaguares, 72 – foul play, high tackle)
Teams:
Jaguares: 15 Joaquín Tuculet, 14 Ramiro Moyano, 13 Matías Orlando, 12 Jerónimo de la Fuente, 11 Santiago Cordero, 10 Juan Martín Hernández, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Leonardo Senatore, 7 Tomás Lezana, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Matías Alemanno, 4 Marcos Kremer, 3 Felipe Arregui, 2 Agustín Creevy (captain), 1 Santiago García Botta.
Replacements: 16 Julián Montoya, 17 Lucas Noguera Paz, 18 Ramiro Herrera, 19 Marcos Kremer, 20 Ignacio Larrague, 21 Javier Ortega Desio, 22 Felipe Ezcurra, 22 Santiago González Iglesias, 23 Bautista Ezcurra.
Cheetahs: 15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Ryno Benjamin, 13 Michael van der Spuy, 12 Clinton Swart, 11 Ruan van Rensburg, 10 Niel Marais, 9 Tian Meyer (captain), 8 Niell Jordaan, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Henco Venter, 5 Francois Uys, 4 Armandt Koster, 3 Tom Botha, 2 Elandré Huggett, 1 Danie Mienie.
Replacements: 16 Joseph Dweba, 17 Charles Marais, 18 Johan Coetzee, 19 Carl Wegner, 20 Paul Schoeman, 21 William Small-Smith/Johannes Prinsloo, 22 Shaun Venter, 23 Fred Zeilinga.
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Pablo Deluca (Argentina)
TMO: Santiago Borsani (Argentina)
